Chapter 86: Outing (1) The young nobles of Wuling rode east toward the Golden Market, their silver saddles gleaming atop white steeds as they passed through the breeze of spring.

Around nine in the evening, Cheng Chen yawned as he prepared to walk Li Jing back to her dormitory. Glancing at Fang Yu and the others, he said, "Fang Yu, the weather's been nice lately. Why don't we head out to the countryside for a bit? Staying cooped up here all day is so dull." Fang Yu considered for a moment, then nodded, "Sure, but what is there to do nearby? Are you suggesting we go fishing?"

"You boys really have no ambition, do you?" Shen Molan shot him a dissatisfied look. "I swear, boys just love strange things. Last time, Zhao Bin stood by the roadside watching an excavator for half an hour!"

"An excavator is more interesting than you, anyway," Zhao Bin muttered under his breath as he stood up, careful not to let the young lady overhear.

"So what else can we do? How about a picnic?"

"A picnic sounds wonderful! This weather is perfect for it," Xia Churan said cheerfully, hopping over with delight.

Cheng Chen was less enthusiastic, "A picnic? We don’t even have a grill. We’d probably have to rent one at the park. Or are we just going to do a spring outing with a backpack each full of snacks?"

Fang Yu, after some thought, got up and waved his hand, "Alright, anything’s better than being stuck here. Even just getting some fresh air would help. Let’s make it tomorrow. Meet here at nine in the morning. Lu Zhen, you’re on the night shift—if you want to come, join us."

Lu Zhen shook his head, bored, "I’ll pass. It’s not like we’re meeting any girls, and I’ll be too tired from staying up all night. You all go. Senior, when are you going to introduce me to a girlfriend?"

Xia Churan nodded a bit shyly, "Of course, you’re Fang Yu’s friend, I’ll keep you in mind."

"Is Lady Shen coming?" he teased, glancing at Shen Molan.

"Of course I am! Why wouldn’t I?" She huffed, "Zhao Bin, pick me up outside my dorm tomorrow. I’ll bring some ingredients."

"Again with me? You have so many admirers—let them do it for once."

"I’d never let anyone else’s dirty hands touch my A5 Wagyu," she retorted.

"Really? A5 Wagyu?" Zhao Bin’s eyes sparkled.

Shen Molan turned with a hint of pride, "Naturally. I can’t stand that watered-down beef. This is all air-freighted."

Though Fang Yu had been reborn, life wasn’t easy for him either. Even with a fortune of over a million, he didn’t dare spend freely. He still survived on cheap street food most days.

But A5 Wagyu was a treasure. Zhao Bin’s appetite was instantly piqued, and he nodded eagerly, "If there’s Wagyu, I’d do anything—not just pick you up, I’d carry you all the way to the food street."

Shen Molan blushed and spat, "Keep dreaming. It’s not that easy to take advantage of me."

The next morning, Fang Yu was woken by Xia Churan, who had already made her way with practiced familiarity to his rented courtyard. "Get up! Take me on the picnic," she urged, dissatisfied.

"What time is it? What’s the rush?" he grumbled, pulling the quilt over his head.

"Fang Yu, get up or I’ll bite you!" Xia Churan threw off his covers, wrapped her arms around his neck, and playfully bit his chin.

"Alright, alright, stop it. I’m getting up," he relented, muttering as he got ready. Peeking into Zhao Bin’s room, he found it empty. Clearly, Zhao Bin had already gone to pick up Shen Molan.

"Hehe, where are we going for the picnic today?"

"Where else? The same wetland park as last time," he replied, wiping his face.

"Oh, okay. What are we having for lunch?"

"Didn’t Cheng Chen buy supplies from the barbecue stall next door? He even rented a charcoal grill."

"Perfect! I’ll show off my cooking skills at lunch."

As they stepped outside, ready to get in the car, Xia Churan’s phone buzzed with a text. She studied it for a moment, then winked mischievously. "Hehe, Fang Yu, I’ll show you a magic trick today."

"A magic trick? What do you mean?" he asked, starting the car from the driver’s seat.

"You’ll see soon enough," she replied.

When they reached the internet café, Fang Yu saw a pink-wrapped Z4 parked outside—it had to be Shen Molan’s car.

"So, Lady Shen brought her car today?" he greeted her with a smile as he walked in.

"Of course. I can’t stand riding in someone else’s car," Shen Molan replied haughtily, flicking her long hair.

Cheng Chen and Zhao Bin entered, carrying bags of food. "Let’s go! The shop owner gave us a bunch of oysters for free. We’ll grill them later," Cheng Chen announced excitedly.

"The weather’s nice," Fang Yu remarked, glancing at the dazzling sunlight streaming through the car windows, and slowly lowered the convertible top.

"Wow, Fang Yu, your car’s a convertible?" Xia Churan exclaimed in surprise.

The 640 was a hardtop convertible, so it wasn’t obvious at first glance. No wonder the girl was so curious.

The sapphire blue coupe rolled slowly out of the snack street, drawing the wide-eyed stares of passing students.

"So that’s a convertible? I didn’t know Fang Yu’s car was like that."

"Right? I’ve never seen one before. So cool."

"If I had a car like that, I could win over Xia Churan too."

"And that pink sports car? Must be Shen Molan’s. How did she end up hanging out with Fang Yu?"

"The rich always mingle together. I bet even Shen Molan has her eyes on Fang Yu now."

"Bah, what’s the big deal? Just a bunch of spoiled kids wasting their parents’ money. Girls like Shen Molan aren’t anything special."

The breeze swept through as the boys, wearing sunglasses, strutted about like a band of young playboys parading through town. Reborn, with the fearlessness of eighteen or nineteen-year-olds, even the wind seemed to carry the scent of youth.

Though it was late November and already quite cold, the day was blessedly warm. The gentle wind lifted the long hair of the girl at his side. Xia Churan looked both curious and proud, turning her head to take everything in.

"A convertible is so much fun! You never put the top down before."

"It was too cold before, or raining. What, you want to ride in a convertible in a raincoat?" he teased.

Along the way, the girl intermittently replied to texts, though he didn’t ask—he guessed it was probably that sycophant Jin Hai again.

By ten o’clock, three cars were parked at the entrance of the Hundred Flower Wetland Park on the outskirts. Instantly, they attracted the attention of the tourists, especially when a group of young men and women stepped out, letting imaginations run wild.

"Wow, does our SY have a bunch of rich kids? Those cars aren’t cheap, right?"

"I’ve seen the Z4 before. It’s not bad, about half a million. But I haven’t seen that other BMW. Must be expensive too."

"Look at those pretty girls. Must be the girlfriends of those rich boys."

"And a Santana 2000? How does it have the nerve to park next to two sports cars?"

Amid the envious gazes of the crowd, they got out of their cars. The wetland park had only recently opened, and there was no admission fee yet.